Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Bill to hold discussion in cities | India News

The discussion was also attended by representatives of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, members of the Bar Council, Law Societies and Muttawalli Societies, representing those directly involved in the legal and operational aspects of waqf management.

The discussion in Mumbai will set the tone for the rest of the consultation, focusing on how the bill addresses key issues of transparency, efficiency and empowerment. Maharashtra, with its diverse population and significant minority representation, provides a unique perspective on how waqf assets can be better managed for the good of the community.

The JPC will travel to Ahmedabad in Gujarat on September 27 to meet representatives of the Gujarat government, the Gujarat Waqf Board and other key stakeholders. The Gujarat Minority Infrastructure, run by the State Minority Commission, has played a key role in managing waqf properties of historical and religious importance.

The Gujarat legal fraternity, including members of the Bar Council, Lawyers Associations and Muttawalli Associations, will also consider how the proposed reforms will affect the management of waqfs in the state. Gujarat’s proactive management model has often been highlighted as an example of efficiency, and the JPC is likely to examine how such efficiency can be replicated in the management of waqfs.

The Joint Committee of Parliament will hold a discussion in Hyderabad on September 28. In this meeting, representatives of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including the Waqf Boards and State Minority Commissions of both the states, will present their positions.

Hyderabad is home to some of the most important Waqf properties in India, including the Great Mosque of Mecca and various charitable institutions. As such, the management of these properties has a direct impact on the social and economic well-being of the community.

In addition, the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board will participate in the discussions in Hyderabad, providing insights from central India. It is expected that the diversity of voices from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh will provide a comprehensive view of how waqf properties are managed in the southern and central parts of the country.

The JPC will hold an informal meeting in Chennai on September 30. Here, discussions will be held with representatives of the Tamil Nadu government, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and the State Minority Commission. Tamil Nadu, a state that prides itself on progressive governance, has unique challenges related to waqf properties, especially in rural areas like Thiruchirapalli district.

Rural waqf properties often face unique challenges, including encroachment and underutilization. By working with local leaders, JPC hopes to gain insights that will help inform decisions about how to best empower local communities through better waqf management.

The last stop on the nationwide tour of the Joint Committee of Parliament will be Bengaluru on October 1. Representatives from the Karnataka government, the Karnataka Waqf Board and the State Minority Commission will join the discussions in the city. Karnataka has a significant number of Waqf properties and the management of these assets has often been in the spotlight for both its successes and challenges.

The diversity of the discussions will be supplemented by representatives of the Kerala Waqf Board and members of the Bar Council, Lawyers Associations and Muttawalli Associations. Kerala, with its own unique waqf governance structure, will provide valuable insights, especially on how waqf assets can be integrated with broader social welfare programmes.

It is important to note that the JPC’s activities are part of a broader national initiative to reform the Waqf Act and ensure that waqf properties are used for the good of the community. During these meetings, the JPC will discuss key aspects of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, including digitization of records, stricter audits, better remedies for violations and decentralization of waqf management.

Interestingly, the Waqf Act, 1995 was enacted to regulate waqf properties but has long been accused of mismanagement, corruption and violations. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2024 aims to introduce wide-ranging reforms, introducing digitalisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to recover illegally occupied properties.

The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf board members and community representatives from six states and two union territories with the aim of driving the most far-reaching reform possible.

These consultations will play a key role in ensuring that the changes to the Waqf Act are practical, effective and responsive to the needs of the community.

The committee must submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the next session of Parliament.

First published: Sep 21, 2024 | 9:30 AM IST